Saturday, September 13, 2008

Desperate Housewife

Warning: This is purely a rant for my own benefit. So don't be alarmed...I'm just huffy...humph!

HOW MUCH IS A HOUSEWIFE WORTH"If you're a stay-at-home wife and mother, you're worth a whopping $125,900 a year! That's because your mate would have to pay $2,325 a week to hire people to perform all the jobs you do, according to U.S. government statistics. A busy mom provides her family with the services of a child care worker, cook, dishwasher, chauffeur, laundry worker, maid and more. Here's what it would cost to hire someone to do these jobs for a week, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment and Earnings report:

1. CHILD CARE WORKER - $182 That's the amount working parents fork out for a full time child care worker to look after and feed their children. 2. COOK - $238 Professional cooks earn an average of $238 a week. But you could be worth even more if you whip up dishes that could be served at fine restaurants. 3. DISHWASHER AND KITCHEN CLEANER - $225 That's what an expert makes working full-time in the catering and food preparation business. 4. LAUNDRY WORKER - $199 You're worth $199 a week to wash, dry and fold your family's clothes and linens. 5. CHAUFFEUR - $362 Professional drivers pocket $362 a week. But you may be worth more since you're at your family's beck and call 24 hours a day. 6. MAID - $182 Although this is what the average maid earns, it's not a lot to do all the dirty work around the house. 7. RECREATION COORDINATOR - $303 You should be paid $303 a week to plan and execute your children's playtime schedule. 8. TUTOR - $228 You tear your hair out helping your children master the "new math" for free; while a professional tutor rakes in $228 a week. 9. BOOKKEEPER/SECRETARY - $389 A clerical worker who balances the books, answers the phone and organizes schedules earns $389 a week.

Tally all those figures and you'll find you could be earning a cool $120,900 a year ($155,280) if you factor in a 3% inflation rate)." This does not even factor in the spiritual training and mentoring that a mother will do that a hired hand would not. So how much is the love of a stay-at-home mother/wife worth to a family? PRICELESS...PROVERB 31.

This also doesn't include:

Haircuts=$25 x 3 x 10 per year x 10 years. (yeah, I'm paid up for the tuition).

Thanks for the comment! Yes, I know, it's hard to abstain from buy quilt stuff. But I have so much! And we are new empty nesters. So it does make sense - save money, use up some stuff, all at the same time! Now that I'm a few weeks into it, instead of finding it difficult, I'm viewing it more of a fun challenge. You know, what kind of creative things can I do with fabric I already own. Do you belong to a guild in Decatur. I spoke at a guild in Athens last year. Fun group.

Reading this post I just started laughing. I have threatened my family that I am going on strike. And they think that is funny. Seems like no one can do anything for themselves around here anymore. And the older they get the worse it gets. Last night my 16 year old was grumbling and complaining that she didn't have any clean clothes. I've done laundry everyday. Now take note that I don't go room to room looking for dirty clothes if they are not in the hamper that means they aren't dirty. This morning I opened her bedroom door and you can't even see the floor it's covered in dirty clothes and towels. Hmmmm...no wonder she doesn't have any clean clothes! I then shut the door and left them. Hey they are not in the hamper so they are not dirty. I've made the decision that I'm going back to chore sheets for my 14 and 16 year old and a Honey Do List for hubby. I've had enough of everyone sitting around on their butts doing nothing to help out themselves or others in this family. The other day I asked my 14 year old to walk the dogs and heard...why can't you do it I'm busy playing this game. Ok, I walked them and about an hour later he came and said so and so wants to know if I can go to the Y and can you come and pick us up. No, I'm sorry I will be busy. They didn't end up going because they couldn't find a way home. Oh well! I'm done ranting! lol Love the post and I'm going to print it off and hang it on the frig. Take Care :)

Can't relate to the SAHM stress as I work full time and my dh thank God does a lot at home to help with all the house work. I do love to read your blog and laugh at your musings.I am passing an award to you. It's puuurrty and unique. Please come an collect it- you earned it!

I always knew that but to see the numbers right there...guess i am worht something while doing the things I love. I love your site. I have posted it on my blog so others can enjoy.Lauraundergroundhousewife.com